Daily Devotion – Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 26, 2017

Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over.

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What Our Lord Saw from the Cross; James Tissot, 1890

There are many beautiful and disturbing paintings of the three crosses on the hill but this painting tore at my heart. When I think of Jesus on the cross, I imagine Him having his eyes closed or staring up to heaven but at some point he must have looked at the crowd.

My prayer for this day…Dear Lord, help me to see all the people around me, really see them and care about them. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by an amazing group of beautiful people at Holy Trinity. Thank you for that gift. Amen.